Wheel of the year.
The Wheel of the Year is a symbol of the eight Sabbats: Winter Solstice, Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice, and Autumn Equinox, as well as the four seasonal festivals that celebrate and embrace the changing of the seasons. It symbolises the continuous renewal of life throughout the year and helps to give balance through uncertain times. Each Sabbat falls at a time of year that corresponds to the natural cycles of the earth and seasons.
The wheel includes the following:
Samhain
Samhain is considered to be one of the most important of Sabbats, as it marks the start of a new year long cycle and is our New Year. I actually find it quite amusing to see some people look at me like I’ve escaped the funny farm when I wish them a happy new year ‘two months early’.
Samhain is not spoken as it is written. It’s pronounced: 'sou-when', or 'so-ween' (I say the former) and simply means "summer's end". It marks the end to the season of light and welcomes the beginning of the season of darkness. By this, I don’t mean the good/evil light and dark, but the knowing that there must be darkness in order for the light to follow.
We give thanks at Samhain for what we’ve been been given throughout the year and reflected upon what’s been lost. It is a time to remember and honour our ancestors and loved ones who have made their journey to the other side.
Samhain is a time when the veil between worlds is at its thinnest. It’s known as an 'in-between'; a time in which the spirits can move more freely and easily among us. For some, this is a bit of a scary time of year, but we see it as chance for our loved ones and ancestors to visit us. It’s quite common to prepare a meal and leave out little treats for the spirits of the dead. The wearing of masks became quite a tradition for some who believed that spirits would only come Earth-side to enact revenge on those who had wronged them. The masks offered anonymity to those who feared this, but they also felt that it offered them protection from other beings of the spirit world. It was feared that Fairies and Sprites would seduce men and abduct certain mortals, especially at night when their powers are strongest. Some people feared these entities so much that they not only wore a mask, but a costume to give more protection.
The modern holiday of Halloween, including its customary bonfires and what is commonly known as 'mischief night' also trace back to Samhain. The belief that the world was birthed into chaos and was then given order by divine forces is what these traditions are linked to. It made a certain sense that the Samhain Eve would be celebrated by performing pranks to symbolise the chaos and the next day, order would be restored. Originally, the bones of animals were burned on bonfires, but that isn’t a commonality now. Bonfires are lit to symbolise the light being triumphant over the darkness.
Yule
Yule is a celebration of the Winter Solstice. This falls on the shortest day of the year and is all about rejuvenation, rebirth, growth and the continual renewal of life. Traditionally, it was a time to honour the Sun God. Trees were and are considered sacred, as they are home to the spirits and the Gods and would be decorated to honour the Sun God’s birth. Conifers/evergreens are the trees of choice as they symbolise the power of life, but also survival through harsh times. Bonfires are lit to symbolise new beginnings and rebirth, but also include the Yule Log. Songs are sung and pieces of holly that symbolise past challenges are thrown into the flames. A piece of the Yule Log is always saved and kept safe for the next Yule fire and symbolises continuity of the everlasting cycle.
Imbolc
Imbolc is halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. It’s a celebration of rebirth, purification, fertility, hope, and a good future. It is closely linked to Brigid, who is the Celtic Goddess of medicine, poetry, the forge, fertility and sacred springs. Doll weaving and making sun wheels are a huge tradition during Imbolc, the dolls representing Brigid and represent luck, continuity and fertility. Imbolc celebrates the coming of Spring and the lighter seasons.
Ostara
Ostara is the ancient festival of the Spring Equinox and welcomes the Spring. It’s named after Eostre, Goddess of the Spring and Mother of the Dawn and is thought by many to be mother to the Sun God. She is also associated with fertility, birth and renewal. The association of Ostara with the rabbit and the egg is an ancient one and there’s even evidence of a link between these symbols and ancient spring celebrations around the world. The celebration involves coloured eggs, baby chicks, rabbits and flowers. (Basically; a lot of cuteness and many sneezes). With renewal and rebirth being the main theme of this celebration, the symbolism of the egg if of particular importance, as is the Labyrinth. It’s an ancient belief and represents a spiritual journey in finding greater meaning within. The tradition of the modern egg hunt is believed to be derived from and ancient ritual of navigating the Labyrinth and hunting for the egg in hopes to be elevated to and altered state of consciousness.
Beltane
Beltane celebrates the coming of Summer, light and fertility. As with many other celebrations and festivals, fire plays a big role as it is associated with passion and indulging in your desires. Named after the Celtic Sun God, Bel, and literally meaning ‘bright fire’, bonfires are lit on this Sabbat to honour him. Dancing is also a big part of this festival and will often take place around the Maypole, which is decorated with long coloured ribbons that are held as the people dance around it. The tradition of crowning a young woman with flower garlands, represents Flora, Goddess of Spring and fertility.
It is also believed that this is the time of year when Fairies and Sprites woke up. People would put Rowan branches on their ceilings and do cleansing rituals to protect against these mischievous entities and their charms.
Litha
Litha celebrates the Summer Solstice which is the longest day of the year. This is believed to be the time of year when the Oak King hands over his reign the Holly King, who will rule over the shorter days and longer nights. The festival of Litha involved bonfires, dancing, fresh fruits and feasting. It celebrated the light and also prepare for the darkness to take over for a short time. Hand-fasting are a very big tradition during this time and many of these ceremonies are performed as part of the celebrations. Sun-wheels are woven and protection rituals are performed to ward off the entities who woke up at Beltane and extra protections are done for those who marry on mid-summer’s day.
Lughnasadh
Lughnasadh derives its name from the Celtic God Lugh, who’s associated with order and truth as he is the God of justice. It is pronounced: ‘Loo-na-sah’. It’s a harvest festival that bridges the transition between Summer and autumn. The first fruits of the harvest are given as offerings to the Gods. The link between the harvest, coming of autumn, and death is symbolized in the story of Lugh and his foster mother.
Tailtiu was one of the earliest deities of Ireland. She devoted herself to preparing the land for ploughing, but eventually died from exhaustion. Her son, Lugh, honoured her sacrifice with a large funeral feast which became Lughnasadh. Horse-racing, fencing, races, wrestling matches and boxing are all part of the traditional festivities at Lughnasadh, and collectively known as the Tailteann Games. Although these ritualistic games are to symbolically honour Tailtiu, they also give the community a final celebration before Summer’s end.
Mabon
Mabon celebrates the Autumn Equinox, the time of equal light and darkness. It’s the second harvest and also a time to give thanks for all that’s been gained and a time to reflect on all that’s been lost and is a very ancient practice. Mabon rituals focus on saying goodbye to the Goddess, who goes to the underworld in the Autumn to slumber but will return in the Spring. Appels play a big role I this festival, as they are often gifted to the Gods to thank them for a bountiful harvest. Rituals of balance are often performed and altars are set up that contain symbols of the season. This Sabbat, as with many others, has plentiful feasts with family and friends.
Well, that's it for this week, my darlings. I hope you've all enjoyed getting to know this ancient wheel. The wheel itself is fairly modern compared to the Sabbats themselves, but I like its balance and harmony. Join me next week for more Witchy-Pagan ramblings.
Love and light to you all.
Blessed be xxx